Marvel Multiverse System

Thanks to the experience Yuri had gained from comforting Hestia, it didn't take long for him to help the nervous Haruhime relax. The atmosphere, once heavy with tension, softened into something warm and gentle—where every gesture seemed to reflect the comfort he wished to convey.

"Haruhime," he began, his voice calm and soothing, "this is our first meeting. Why don't you tell me your story?"

The young fox girl hesitated for a moment, as if the words were reluctant to come out. But soon, she nodded slowly, as though giving herself permission to share the burden she carried. Then, with an almost ethereal softness, she began to recount her past.

"I was born in the Far East," Haruhime said, her voice slightly distant, as if she were reliving her memories. Her eyes sparkled briefly, reflecting images of her hometown. "It's an island country, surrounded by the sea. The four seasons are more distinct there than in Orario. In spring, the cherry trees bloom in a burst of color. In summer, cicadas sing through the streets. In autumn, the maple leaves turn red as blood... And in winter, everything is covered in snow."

She seemed to lose herself in the memories, her eyes focused on the void ahead. It was clear she wanted to relive the tranquility of those days—before her life changed forever.

"I come from a noble family with a long lineage," she continued, her tone still serene but now tinged with sorrow. "When I was young, I was always looked after by the maids. The only life I knew was the mansion where I grew up. I knew nothing about the outside world. My days were spent learning etiquette, customs, and the behavior expected of nobility. Life was... comfortable. A little lonely, yes, but I had some friends. I was well fed, wore the finest clothes... and life seemed peaceful."

But as she finished those words, her expression dimmed, and a shadow of sadness took hold of her. Her face softened, and her eyes shimmered with hidden pain.

"But... when I was eleven, I was cast out of my home."

"Why?" Yuri asked, his voice gently curious, though his heart tightened with concern.

Haruhime's response came in a whisper, as if it hurt to speak the words. "Because I ate an offering meant for the goddess Amaterasu."

Yuri frowned, not fully understanding. "You actually ate the offering?"

"I... don't really remember," she said, visibly embarrassed. "When I woke up, my mouth was full of crumbs. I must've been really hungry... so I ate it. Maybe that's why I was so reckless."

Yuri remained silent, feeling the pain she was trying to hide. The discomfort of the memory was evident when she covered her face with her hands, a gesture of shame. She began to sob, her shoulders trembling slightly.

"My father was so furious..." she whispered, her voice breaking. "He disowned me. I... I didn't even know what was happening until it was too late. Before I realized it, a pallum guest took me away from home."

She paused, her words hanging heavy in the air. The feeling of abandonment clearly still haunted her.

"I... I didn't know anything. I was left at the mercy of others, and they led me to where the monsters were..." she said, her voice low, nearly drowned by the fear in her memory.

Yuri listened closely, his gaze fixed on her, his expression serious—deeply moved by her pain.

"And then, what happened?" he asked gently.

Haruhime took a deep breath, and her voice wavered as she continued. "The pallum who brought me there... when he saw the monsters, he abandoned me and ran. But even so, he was captured and eaten. And I... I nearly died too."

Yuri's eyes narrowed, frustration rising within him as he heard this part of her story. But he said nothing, letting her go on.

"I was about to die when... a group of thieves appeared and rescued me. They brought me to Orario because I was still a virgin and... very valuable. They sold me to the goddess Ishtar."

Haruhime closed her eyes for a moment, the pain of her story clearly written on her face. "After that... I was forced to work as a prostitute."

As those words left her mouth, her voice became smaller and smaller. Her body trembled slightly, and tears began to roll silently down her cheeks. It was clear Haruhime had long accepted her fate—a life she never would have chosen.

She whispered, unable to hold back the pain in her voice:

"It would've been so nice... if I could be rescued by one of those heroes..."

Yuri, hearing those words, felt like he was listening to the final breath of a sorrowful song—a lament fading into the air.

"Heroes... like in fairy tales?" he asked gently.

Haruhime wiped her tears with the back of her hand and, despite the sadness, tried to smile faintly. "Yes... like the ones who save princesses locked in towers, cursed or forgotten by the world. Sometimes I dreamed I was Sleeping Beauty, waiting for someone to wake me from this nightmare."

Yuri sat beside her, listening closely to each word as if her story were weaving into his own.

"I always liked the story of Cinderella," she said, smiling slightly, though her voice still trembled. "A mistreated girl, living in ashes, but with a pure heart. And then, for just a moment, magic changed everything."

She let out a quiet laugh, her voice strained with emotion. "And in the end, she left with the prince."

Yuri smiled, though his expression turned serious. "Yeah, but no one tells you that she had to chase after the carriage—even after everything went back to normal. She chose not to give up."

Haruhime closed her eyes for a moment, thoughtful.

"And you?" she asked, a curious light in her eyes. "What would your fairy tale be?"

Yuri looked at her, a soft smile on his lips. "Maybe... Jack and the Beanstalk. A regular boy, thrown into an absurd situation, but brave enough to climb the impossible. Only... unlike him, I don't want to come down alone—I want to come back down with someone."

Haruhime opened her eyes slowly, and for a brief moment, the fear that had consumed her faded—like his words had sparked a small flame of hope. "Do you think I could still have a happy ending?"

Yuri, meeting her gaze, didn't hesitate. "I don't know if it'll be like the books. But I do know that as long as I'm here... you won't be alone."

Haruhime remained silent for a moment, his words echoing in her mind. Then, in a quiet voice, she asked:

"Do fairy tales really exist?"

Yuri gave a faint, gentle smile. "Maybe not like in the books. But... sometimes, people do things that feel like magic."

(End of Chapter)

"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."